Coastal Blue Nightstand Makeover With Raised Stencil
Are you looking for a way to spruce up your furniture and give it that coastal, beachy vibe? In this makeover I’ll show you step by step how easily I transformed an old plan nightstand into something fresh and new. Follow along and with just a couple of coats of paint in the perfect shade of blue and a fun raised stencil technique, your furniture will also become an eye-catching statement piece that will make any room brighter and more inviting. So, let’s walk through this coastal blue nightstand makeover with raised stencil.
And if you are new to painting furniture you’ll find all kinds of helpful information on getting started at, Chalk Mineral Paint Basics.
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Coastal Blue Nightstand Makeover Supplies
- Amy Howard One Step Paint in Southern Hospitality
- Dixie Belle Synthetic Brush Flat Medium
- Krud Kutter Cleaner Spray & Clean Rag
- Redesign With Prima Stencil in Coastal Tiles
- Painter’s Tape
- Redesign With Prima 3D Fiber Paste
- Putty Knife
- Wise Own Varnish in Satin Finish
- Blue Painting Sponge
- Hardware Brushed Satin Nickel Finish
- Best Dang Wax in White & A Wax Brush
- Fusion Paint – Victorian Lace (for the Stenciling on top)
The Paint: Amy Howard One Step Paint
Firstly, let’s discuss the magic ingredient – Amy Howard One Step Paint. This chalk-based paint is a DIY enthusiast’s dream. It adheres to nearly any surface without the need for primer or sanding, making it ideal for our nightstand transformation.
For my coastal blue nightstand makeover, this shade of beautiful coastal blue was perfect.
Amy Howard One Step Paint in the color Southern Hospitality is an enchanting shade that embodies the warmth, charm, and grace of a traditional Southern home. This versatile hue is a soft, muted teal. It reminds me of a Carolina blue sky.
The paint’s eggshell finish is perfect for most projects. And its exceptional adhesion properties eliminate the necessity for sanding or priming, making it an effortless and convenient choice for transforming your furniture.
Preparing For Paint
Before other prep the first thing I do most of the time with all makeovers is vacuum the piece. Vacuum inside drawers underneath edges and the bottom and so forth. This helps remove cobwebs and dust bunnies that are hiding along the edges. You don’t want those things getting into your paint.
I really wanted to test out this paint, so I opted not to sand or prime. Instead I simply cleaned the nightstand with Krud Kutter spray degreaser and wiped it down well to remove any grime. I always use a clean white cloth for this process and it amazes me what yuck comes off of old furniture.
Follow the cleaning with a good rinse with a clean cloth and good clear water. This will remove any residue from the spray cleaner.
I talk a bit more about prepping for paint in this post, How To Prep Furniture For Painting and Primer For Painted Furniture.
Applying the Paint
Using the Dixie Belle Synthetic Brush in Flat Medium, I painted my first coat of the coastal blue paint. I was amazed at the coverage. And let me also add that this paint smells fabulous! My whole garage still smells good even a week after I’ve finished painting.
To get good coverage and a nice opaque finish, I used two coats of the Amy Howard One Step Paint. But I was very impressed with how smoothly this paint laid onto the project.
Once the two coats were done I was satisfied with the outcome. So, I moved onto the applying some accenting wax and stenciling.
Accenting With White Wax Wax
To further enhance the coastal look I added some accenting with Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in White. To add wax, you lightly dip a clean, dry brush into the pot of wax, and then gently buff the wax into the crevices and edges of your raised stencil design.
The white wax settles into the nooks and crannies of your texture, highlighting the details and giving a worn, weathered effect that is reminiscent of aged coastal furniture. Allow the wax to dry and then buff it to a soft sheen.
The addition of the white wax gives the nightstand a more authentic, aged coastal appearance. The end result reflects the beauty and tranquility of the coast.
Coastal Blue Nightstand Makeover With Coastal Tiles Raised Stencil
Next, the fun part begins – stenciling! I found this Coastal Tiles stencil by Redesign and it was perfect! to achieve that beachy, breezy look.
I added the stencil in white Paint – Fusion Mineral Paint Victorian Lace to the top of the nightstand. To apply the stencil here on the top I used the Best Dang Brush by Dixie Belle. It is my go-to stenciling brush.
And once the stenciled design was dry, I used a fine grit sandpaper about 220 to give it a worn look. Then I applied two coats of Wise Owl Varnish in Satin to give it extra protection.
Learn all about stenciling in this post: How To Stencil Painted Furniture
Create A Raised Stencil With 3D Fiber Paste
For the drawer fronts I created a raised stencil design. To create the raised stencil I used the Redesign with Prima 3D Stencil Fiber Paste. This innovative product allows you to create raised stencil designs. Thereby creating a textured effect that is both visually striking and tactile.
One really cool aspect about this paste is that it can be colorized with paint, pigments, and more. So I mixed some of the Stencil Fiber Paste with a little of the Amy Howard Blue Paint. Mix well and then you are ready to apply.
Anchor the stencil by holding it or by using painter’s tape. Then, apply the fiber paste over the stencil, gently scraping the excess off with a putty knife. Once you’ve achieved the desired texture, carefully remove the stencil and let it dry overnight.
The design dries typically in about 6 hours but you for sure want it to be good and dry so overnight is best. Then once dry, sand gently to remove any rough spots or uneven textures. Then again wipe away dust.
Other ideas for adding Texture To Painted Furniture consider:
- Glass Bead Gel
- Laminate Hutch Makeover using Sea Spray Texture
- Textured Paint Finish using SaltWash Powder
- SaltWash Textured Paint Makeover – 14 Makeovers Using SaltWash Powder
Accent The Raised Stencil Design
I painted over the raised stencil with the Amy Howard blue paint. After the blue was dry it was pretty as is.
However I opted to further add a bit of weathered look to the drawer front by using some dry brushing, which we’ll talk about next.
Next Up, Dry Brushing To Add Dimension To The Raised Stencil Design
Dry brushing is a technique that really adds to the coastal aged look of the piece. It adds an extra dimension of depth and texture. I use a chip brush to dry brush. But any flat brush with stiffer bristles will work well.
The process involves lightly brushing your paintbrush over the surface so only a fraction of the paint is left behind, creating a weathered, aged effect. Particularly in relation to the raised stencil design, dry brushing accentuates the depth and texture, emphasizing the highs and lows of the design.
The final result is a subtle hint of color on the raised areas, offering a sun-beaten, washed-up sea charm, perfectly replicating that much-desired coastal antiquity.
How To Dry Brush
To dry brush the raised stencil, first ensure you have a small, flat-tipped paint brush and some white paint. I had on hand Fusion Paint in Victorian Lace. Dip your brush lightly into the paint, then dab it onto a dry cloth or paper towel to remove the excess. This technique will leave only a small amount of paint on the bristles.
Now, gently sweep your brush over the raised stencil, letting the brush bristles lightly catch the raised portions. The trick here is to apply less paint than you think you need; you can always add more layers for desired effect.
Continue this process until the raised stencil is lightly highlighted with white, creating a weathered, vintage look. Allow the paint to dry completely.
Coastal Blue Nightstand Makeover Final Touches: Adding New Hardware
Lastly I applied two coats of Wise Owl Varnish in Satin over the stenciled drawer fronts, just for a bit of extra protection from wear and tear.
And then I changed out the hardware. The original hardware wasn’t bad but these brushed nickle silver drawer pulls from Amazon were simple and perfect for this makeover.
Summary: Coastal Blue Nightstand Makeover With Raised Stencil
With these simple steps, your nightstand will transition from drab to fab, evoking images of sun-kissed beaches and crystal-blue waters right in your home. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to transform your furniture into coastal-inspired masterpieces. Happy DIY-ing!
With this fresh coastal makeover, your nightstand is no longer just a piece of furniture, but a beautiful representation of serene seashores and the charm of aged treasures. This DIY project not only breathes new life into your space but also indulges your creative side, offering a rewarding experience.
So, let this coastal blue nightstand makeover inspire you to get started on your next project!
